Rotatably adjustable firing pin for center or rim fire cartridges



1962 J. T. NY 3,050,894

ROTATABLY ADJUSTABLE FIRING PIN FOR CENTER OR RIM FIRE CARTRIDGES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1960 INVENTOR. JESSIE I luv A ;I drraelvfxs g- 1962 J. T. IVY 3,050,894

ROTATABLY ADJUSTABLE FIRING PIN FOR CENTER OR RIM FIRE CARTRIDGES Filed March 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. I] E\ j=|| m INVENTOR. JEssIE 7. Iv

v4 TTOENEYJ ROTATABLY ADJUSTABL IRING PIN FOR CENTER OR RIM FIRE CARTRIDGES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 18, 1960 INVENTOR. 14-15515 7? /w BY This invention relates to fire arms, and it has reference more particularly to improvements in firing pins and the manner of their use in revolvers, rifles, shot guns, and the like; it being the principal object of this invention to provide an improved form of firing pin, and certain improvements in the fire arm to which the pin is applied whereby the fire arm is adapted for the selective use therein of center fire cartridges and rim fire cartridges which may be of the same or diiferent calibers.

Explanatory to the present invention, it is desired to point out that it frequently happens that a hunter, while using a rifle of large caliber, designed to use center fire cartridges, desires to shoot at a tar-get or a small animal for which a small caliber, rim fire cartridge is more practical. A .45 caliber revolver or rifle is not practical for target practice or for shooting small game or birds.

Therefore, it has been an object of this invention to provide certain improvements in revolvers, rifles and shot guns, as designed for the use therein of center fire cartridges of relatively large caliber, for the firing therein of rim fire cartridges of lesser caliber; the improvements embodied in this invention residing, more particularly, in the rotatably adjustable firing pin; in the provision for use, in the gun barrel, of caliber reducing sleeves that are designed to suit the kind and caliber of the smaller cartridge to be used; and in the application of firing pins to dummy cartridges whereby cartridges of small caliber can be fired in a gun designed for cartridges of relatively large caliber.

More specifically stated, the present inventiominsofar as it relates to revolvers, resides in provisions for the interchangeable use therein of cylinders that will, respectively, accommodate cartridges of different calibers, for example, to provide a revolver having a cylinder for center fire cartridges of .45 caliber and another cylinder for use of rim fire cartridges of .22 caliber. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide the revolver with a rotatably adjustable firing pin that can be readily positioned to accommodate the revolver for the firing therein of cartridges of either caliber or kind.

Insofar as the present invention applies to shot guns and large caliber rifles, it is the principal object of this invention to provide the fire arm with a rotatably adjustable firing pin as above stated, and alsoto provide it with a caliber reducing sleeve or bushing that is readily applicable thereto to adapt the fire arm for the use therein of a designated small caliber cartridge.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a caliber reducing sleeve or bushing, hereinafter referred to as a dummy cartridge, with a built in or self contained firing pin for use in conjunction with the firing pin that is provided within the fire arm.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention reside in the details of construction of and in the Fatentecl Aug. 28, 1%62 wise of the firing pin, showing it as adjusted for the firing of center fire cartridges as applied to the cylinder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2, showing the firing pin as rotatably adjusted to a position for firing rim fire cartridges as applied to another cylinder designed to be interchanged with that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 44 in FIG. 2. showing the firing pin as set for center fire cartridges.

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to that of FIG. 4, showing the firing pin as adjusted for firing rim fire cartridges.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section, taken on line 66 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an outer end view of the firing pin as seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an axial sectional view of a dummy cartridge, designed for application to a rifle barrel, and showing a small caliber rim fire cartridge applied thereto.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dummy cartridge that is designed for application to a shot gun of Y break-open type.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal or axial section of a dummy cartridge as designed for use in a revolver.

FIG. 11 is an axial sectional view of a firing pin designed to replace the typical firing pin of revolvers already made for center fire cartridges, to adapt it for firing small diameter rim fire cartridges as well as center fire c-artridges.

FIG. 12 is an outer end view of the firing pin of FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view with portions thereof broken away, showing a dummy cartridge designed for use in a large caliber rifle; this dummy cartridge having a built-in firing pin to be acted on by the firing pin of the fire arm with which it is used to fire rim fire cartridges.

FIG. 14 is similar view showing a dummy cartridge for firing center fire cartridges therein.

FIG. 15 is a similar dummy cartridge for use in a breakopen shot gun, shown in section for better disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a dummy cartridge for use in a pistol or the like of large caliber for firing small caliber rim fire cartridges.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In FIG. 1, I have shown the frame structure 10 of a revolver that mounts a barrel 11 in the usual manner. The frame, here shown partly in section for explanatory purposes, is formed with the usual opening or recess 12 in which a cartridge cylinder 13 is mounted for the successive indexing of its several cartridge chambers 14 with the inner end of the barrel bore 11x and substantially in alignment with the firing pin as mounted in the frame; the firing pin being designated in its entirety in FIG. 1, by numeral 15.

The revolver is shown to be provided with a hammer 16 and it is to be understood that this can be cocked and fired in the usual way by pull of a firing mechanism including a trigger 17. Incident to the cocking of the hammer, either by thumb action or by trigger pull, the cylinder 13 is caused to be forwardly indexed by the usual or any other suitable mechanism, not herein shown.

The revolver, as described and shown is adapted for the interchangeable use therein of cartridge cylinders 13 of the two calibers, which are alike in all respect except that they are chambered for the reception of cartridges of different kinds or calibers. For example, one cylinder 13 would'be chambered to receive cartridges of a caliber corresponding to that of the barrel 11 and the other cylinder 13 would be designed to receive cartridges of smaller caliber. The first mentioned cylinder might be for either .22, .32, .44 or .45 caliber center fire cartridges, while the other cylinder could be chambered to receive .22 caliber,. rim fire cartridges. The selective, interchangeable use of these cylinders in the revolver, is made possible by means of a readily and easily operable mechanism, not herein shown because it is not a part of the structure to be herein claimed. It is merely indicated herein that the cylinder has a hub shaft 18 adapted to seat rotatably at its ends in sockets 19 formed in the frame to receive them.

In my co-pending application, filed under Serial No. 831,288 on August 3, 1959, now Patent No. 3,030,723, I disclosed a two caliber cylinder having the cartridge chambers for the smaller and shorter cartridges formed with riflings. It will be understood therefore that if a revolver of the type of that of the previous application was used, all cylinder chambers could be for .22 caliber rim fire cartridges. One set would line up with the large barrel and the other set with the smaller barrel. Bullets fired from one set would go through the larger barrel not touching its rifiings. Bullets of the other set would go through the smaller barrel, engaging the riflings of the cylinder chambers and of the barrel. It is to be remembered that the cylinders would be long enough for the longer and larger caliber cartridges and therefore much longer than the .22 caliber rim fire cartridges, thus providing sufficient length for riflings. The rotatably adjustable firing pin would be used to fire the .22 rim fire cartridges down the larger center fire barrel. The rifling in the cylinder chamber would be the only rifling affecting the bullet unless an interchangeable barrel of the same caliber was installed.

In order that the single firing pin may be used in the present revolver for firing either the center fire or rim fire cartridges. I have shown it, as has been best disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, to comprise a cylindrical body portion that is rotatably fitted in a bore 20 that is formed in the frame in axial alignment with the barrel bore 11x. The forward end portion 15 of the pin is formed with a small diameter firing point 21 that projects eccentrically therefrom into an arcuate slot 22 that is formed in the recoil plate 23 against which the base ends of the cartridges bear when successively brought into firing position by the rotative indexing of the cylinder 13. The longer, rear end portion of the pin 15 is rotatably fitted in the cylindrical bore 20 and projects rearwardly therefrom a distance sufficient to be struck by the hammer 16 for firing a cartridge when the trigger is pulled. About its medial portion, the pin 15 is formed with a thin, annular fiange or collar 26 contained in a counterbored forwardly opening socket 2'7 and is engageable against the inner end wall of this socket to limit the outward movement of the firing pin. A coil spring 28 is confined under compression between the flange 26 and the plate 23 to yieldingly retain the pin in a retracted position, as in FIG. 2.

The firing point 21, as formed eccentrically on the inner end of the pin 15, as in FIG. 2, normally clears the base ends of the cartridges as contained in the cylinder 13. The outer end portion of the pin 15 is formed with a diametric bore 32 that has its lower end plugged as at 33 in FIG. 6. This bore loosely contains a ball bearing 34 in its opposite or upper end portion. This ball is outwardly pressed by a coil spring 35 contained in the bore and seated against the plug 33. This ball can be selectively seated, by slight rotative adjustment of the pin in one or the other of two channels 36 and 37 formed in the bore 20 at about a 90 interval therein. When the ball is seated in channel 36 as in FIGS. 2 and 4, the firing point 21 Will be aligned axially with the barrel 11 and cylinder chamber 14 as in FIGS. 1 and 2; this being its position for firing center fire cartridges. When the pin is rotated to a position such that the ball is seated in channel 37, the firing point 21 will then be positioned for firing the rim fire cartridges, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the position of the cartridge is shown by the dot-dash circle C.

To provide for this rotative adjustment of the pin 15, from one position of adjustment to the other, it is formed in its outer end portion which normally projects beyond the frame as in FIG. 1, with a peripheral notch or a crossslot 40, to receive a finger nail, tool, or the rim of a cartridge, as a means for easy turning of the pin. Alignment of the end of the cross-slot or a mark in the form of a dot on the pin into alignment with the ends of the channels 3637 brings the ball 34 into registration with the ball channel, thus to yieldingly retain the pin in the desired position of adjustment.

With the revolver equipped with the rotatably adjustable firing pin 15, as above described and with the provision of the interchangeable cylinders 13, it is possible by selective use of cylinders, and proper pin adjustment, to fire center fire cartridges of large caliber as applied to one cylinder in the usual manner, or to fire the smaller rim fire cartridges in another cylinder.

In the present invention, it is immaterial as to just what the automatic indexing means for the cylinder, or the manner or means for removably mounting the cylinders may be, and these parts have not herein been described. However, these details might well be in accordance with the disclosures of my co-pending application filed under Serial No. 831,288 on August 3, 1959, now Patent No. 3,030,723.

Insofar as the present inventive concept pertains to rifles, particularly those of the break-open types, I have, in FIG. 8, illustrated a dummy cartridge which might be designed for use in a standard .375 caliber Magnum rifle; this dummy being center bored for the reception and firing therein of .22 caliber, rim fire cartridges, but which, alternatively, might be chambered for the firing of .22 caliber, center fire Hornet cartridges. This particular dummy cartridge is in the form of a bushing, or sleeve, adapted to be removably fitted within the bore 41 of the selected rifle barrel which has been designated, in dash lines, by reference numeral 42. This sleeve is centrally bored to receive the selected small caliber cartridge designated at 45. This bushing or sleeve could be several times the length of the cartridge 45 which the rifle was designed to accommodate and would be centrally bored, as at 41', to receive the small caliber cartridge as shown. It is also shown that the dummy cartridge is formed with an extraction flange 47 at its outer end and that the central bore thereof is formed with the usual riflings 48. The bore of the dummy cartridge might be designed to receive .22 caliber shorts; .22 caliber longs; .22 caliber long rifle or .22 caliber special cartridges; each of which is a rim fire cartridge.

In such rifles as above indicated, the same type of rotatably adjustable firing pin is to be employed as has previously been disclosed and described in connection with the revolver illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, when the dummy cartridge is to accommodate rim fire cartridges.

In FIG. 9, I have designated a dummy cartridge by numeral 50, that is applicable to a break-open shot gun. It is here to be noted that the outer end or main body portion 50' of the dummy cartridge is shaped to fit the bore of the gun barrel as provided to receive shot gun shells, and that it has an extended inner end portion 50x that might project several inches into the gun barrel. This latter portion would be rifled in the usual Way as at 51 to give proper spin to the bullet being fired. If cartridge to be used in the dummy was a .22 caliber, center fire Hornet cartridge, a firing pin as ordinarily provided for the shot gun shells would be used in its originally intended manner to shoot the .22 caliber, center fire cartridge.

Such dummy cartridges as those shown for use in connection with a rifle or shot gun might also be applied, in modified forms, to large caliber revolvers. However, it would be necessary to limit the length of the dummy cartridges to that of the cartridge chambers of the cylinders of the revolver in which they were to be contained. In FIG. 10, such a dummy cartridge is designated by numeral 49 and its is seen to contain riflings 49)" beyond the end of the cartridge contained therein.

By use of these center bored, caliber reducing sleeves, or dummy cartridges in the chambers of revolver cylinders, the requirement for the use of interchangeable cylinders, as previously described in connection with the revolver of FIG. 1, would be avoided.

Whenever center fire cartridges are to be used, Whether they be as shot gun shells, or as rifle cartridges, applied within dummy cartridges, the normal firing pin of the fire arm can be used; it being necessary to equip the tire arm with the present type of rotatably adjustable firing pin only when the dummy cartridge is designed to accommodate a rim fire cartridge.

The application of these dummy cartridges to revolvers, shot guns or rifles, may be easily and readily accomplished in the same manner as applying a cartridge to the fire arm.

In order that fire arms, such as revolvers, pistols, etc., that are already in existence may be adapted for the shooting of both large caliber, center fire cartridge and smaller caliber, rim fire cartridges, I have designed a replacement firing pin therefor.

The present replacement pin, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, comprises a hollow cylindrical housing 55 that is closed at its inner end by a flat wall 56. The housing is exteriorly threaded and is adapted to be applied to the internally threaded socket 57 provided in a frame member x of the revolver at the location of the original firing pin; the socket being of such depth that, when the housing 55 is threaded into place,'as in FIG. 11, its closing inner end wall 5 6 will be flush with the usual recoil plate ltlr as applied to this frame portion of the revolver. Con

tained within this pin housing 55, is a firing pin 60 having an enlarged, cylindrical outer end portion that extends rotatably through a hole 61 in the base wall of the socket to a position permitting it to be struck by the revolver hammer, not shown, to drive the pin inwardly. A collar 62 is formed on the medial portion of the pin to limit its outward movement under the pressure of a coil spring 63 disposed in the housing. The pin 6!) has an eccentric inner end portion 64 extended therefrom, terminating in a firing point 65 that projects into an arcuate slot 66 in the inner end closure Wall of the housing 55. When the outer end of the pin 60 is struck by the hammer, the firing point strikes and fires the cartridge as contained in the revolver cylinder or pistol barrel.

It is to be observed by reference to FIG. 12, that the firing point 65 extends through the radial slot 66 of the housing end wall 56. By a rotative adjustment of this pin 60 the firing point may be positioned for firing either center fire cartridges or rim fire cartridges. This rotative adjustment is effected by the application of a suitable pin turning tool to a socket in the outer end surface, as previously described, and its positions of adjustment may be yieldably retained by a spring pressed ball latch, applied in the same manner as previously explained in connection with FIG. 1.

In FIGS. 13 through 15, I have illustrated dummy cartridges designed for ready application to rifles, shot guns, revolvers or pistols of certain calibers to adapt them for the shooting of cartridges of lesser caliber. Each of these dummy cartridges has a firing pin embodied therein for use in conjunction with the firing pin with which the fire arm is originally equipped. The arrangement or combination of pins is such that when the loaded dummy cartridge is applied to a rifle, or the like, it is fired by the hammer acting against the firing pin of the fire arm and causing it, in turn, to strike and actuate the firing pin as applied to the dummy cartridge to fire its contained cartridge.

In FIG. 13, the dummy cartridge is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 75. It is shown to be formed with a central bore 76. containing a rim fire cartridge 77. The dummy cartridge includes, as a part thereof, an inner end cap 78 of like diameter threaded thereonto, as at 79. This cap contains, coaxially thereof, a firing pin 30 which is equipped at its inner end with an eccentrically extended firing point 81 for the intended firing of the rim fire cartridge 77. At its outer end the pin 89 is formed centrally with an exposed, soft metal insert 82 against which vth'e firing pin of the fire arm of the gun using the dummy cartridge, may strike to actuate the pin 8% to fire the cartridge. This dummy cartridge may be reloaded upon removing the cap, and made ready for use merely-by inserting it in the barrel of the fire arm. The soft metal insert in this instance avoids damage to the firing pin of the fire arm that would result from its striking against a hard metal pin. Insert could be lead or solder which could be repaired easily or the insert could be hard rubber or a plastic material such as nylon.

In FEG. 14 the dummy cartridge 75b shown is like that of FIG. 13 except in this figure the firing pin 80 as applied to the cap 78 is shown to have a center firing point 31 at its inner end disposed to strike the firing cap of the center fire cartridge that is applied to the dummy.

In FIG. 15, I have shown a dummy cartridge 75s for use in a shot gun of break open type. This is equipped with a firing pin 80x for center fire cartridges and at its application and use it is like that of FIG. 14.

In each of the dummy cartridges of these several views, the firing pins are held against displacement from the cap 73 by a transverse pin 78;) fixed in the cap and passing through a recess formed along the top surface of the pin and permitting its necessary endwise movement.

In FIG. 16, I have shown a dummy cartridge 75c that is shortened for use in a revolver or pistol. This cartridge is substantially like that of P16. 13 except that its cap 78' contains an angularly directed firing pin fiftd disposed with its outer end centered in the cap, and its inner end disposed in position for the firing of rim fire cartridges.

In each of these views FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16, the bore of the dummy cartridge may be formed with riflings as has been indicated. FIGS. 13 and 14 show how dummies could be made longer than standard cartridges, when made for break-open type firearms, or firearms that have easy to remove breech bolts such as bolt action These dummy cartridges which have built-in firing pins have two fiat surfaces 9tl-90 on the cap and two fiat surfaces 91-?1-011 the forward part for holding in wrenches or with the fingers when removing or replacing the cap from the body.

A short cleaning rod would be provided for cleaning the dummy cartridges, the same rod could be used to push fired cases from the dummy cartridges and to rotate the firing pin.

A small notch could be provided for a knife blade point to pry the fired cases clear, by prying on the rim of the fired case.

It is the intent that a hunter, for example, one using 1 a fire arm of large caliber shall provide himself with loaded dummy cartridges as herein illustrated which he shall keep in readiness for use only as may be required.

What I claim as new is:

l. A firearm including a mounting frame, a chamber mounted in said frame for holding a cartridge for firing, a hammer mounted in said frame, a bore formed in said frame coaxially with said cartridge holding chamber, a pair of spaced axially extending channels formed in the wall surfaces of said bore, a firing pin rotatably mounted in said bore in position to be struck by said hammer and engageable with a cartridge in said chamber, said firing pin being mounted for limited endwise movement and for limited axial rotative adjustment, a firing point formed eccentrically on the inner end of said firing pin which by axial rotative adjustment of the firing pin to one limit Wlll be positioned for firing center fire cartridges and by axial rotative adjustment of the pin to its other limit will be positioned for firing rim fire cartridges, a transverse bore formed in said firing pin, and a spring pressed ball mounted in said transverse bore whereby, incident to rotation of said firing pin, the ball is adapted to be seated in one of said channels to hold the pin in the desired position.

2. A firearm as in claim 1 wherein said firing pin projects outwardly beyond said frame and means is provided on the exposed end of said firing pin to permit rotative adjustment thereof.

3. A firearm as in claim 1 wherein a spring is provided in said bore to yieldingly retain said firing pin spaced from a cartridge in said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 159,592 Marlin Feb. 9, 1875 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Ian. 20, 1879 

